Crane



W. REID, JR

Sept. s, 1925.

CRANE Filed April 6 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR mil; 1' M BY ATTORNEY Sept. 8, 1925.

. W. REID. JR

CRANE Filed April 6- 2 iNVENTOR E I A TORNEY S pt- 8, l 925.

w. REID, JR

CRANE Filed April 6 2 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 WEE! INVENTOR v-uQuLLU ATTORNEY Sept. 8, 1925. 1552951 W. REID. JR

CRANE Filed April 6, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 iNVENTOR IIBMJXI 3 4 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 8, 1925.

wi'riiiiiiir Bans; at; or GLASGOW, amma mane.

Application filed A ril 6, 1922. Serial in). 549,916.

TL all whom it may concu /12 Be it known that I, XVILLIAM REID, J 11., a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Glasgow, in the coiinty of Lanark, Scotland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cranes, of which the following is a full clear, and exact description, such as will enableothers skilled in the to which it appertains to make and use the same. o a p This invention has reference to improvments in cranes or similarhoisting mechanism and in some of its aspects it relates more particularly to improvements in and relating to hoisting buckets employed in connection with the hoisting inechanisin. Y r

In discharging material by means of a crane from one place to another, forexainple from a shipshol'd to arailway truck or vice versa, it is frequently necessary to raise the full bucket to a greater-height that that at which it is required to discharge the bucket; i. e., the bucket must be first raised high enough to clean intervening obstacles the jib swung round, and the bucket then lowered to a height convenient for tipping.

According to the present invention, means are providedwhich remain inoperative when the bucket is raised beyond the height for tipping and which, when the bucket is again lowerechactuate the 'dogs or like locking means when the tipping position is reached.

A further feature and object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved means for turning the hoisting bucket into the required tipping plane. Other features andobjects of the invention will be in part pointed out in connection with the following detailed description and will in part be obvious in connection therewith. a v

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in theconstruction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a completeunderstanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference is bad to the following detailed description to the accompanying drawings disclosing certain illustrative but preferred embodiments ofthe inventiomand in wl1ich- Figure 1 illustrates a crane jib, suspended crown piece and bucket.

t Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the bucket raised beyond the tipping position. A

Figure 3 shows the bucket lowered so as to actuate the locking mechanism. a

Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged front and side elevations of the bucket and operating mechanism.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate to alarger scale sectional elevations at right angles to each other of a preferred construction of crown piece. a x V l p H Figures 8 and 9 and Figure 10 illustrate modifications.

Referring to the drawing z-g A designates the crane 'jibQB the crown piece and C the bucket. Secured tothe latter are two cheeks deach having a notch with which engage the lower "ends "of the arms 1).

Said arms, which constitute locking dogs and normally prevent the bucket tipping,

are bifurcatedat c to enclose the bucket bail or handle D and are each pi'votal ly eonneeted to links d. Those'links are pa nterly secured at their inner ends (Z betweentlie ci'oss straps or ,lb late's f are li connected to llnks d and to the uprigl-it rod 'wh clris provided with a crosshead g -at i pper end and slotted so as to receive a gelding pin it fiite'd between the said cross straps are two projecting lined pins, secured to the cross straps and passing through corresponding holes in the cross head and which also serve to guide the latter. I

The crown piece is provided at its lower end with two arinsi, pivoted at '5 and actuated at springs j.

The lower ends of said arms are provided with inclined faces 2' andnotches i The ropes carrying the crown piece. (see Figures 1, Qand 3), are secured to a monkey or carriage Z whichruns in guidesor rails m, which latter is provided with holes m for the reception of a pin m Thus the downward movement of the crown piece can be limited as desired-by inserting the stop pin in the corresponding :hole. 1

In operation "the height of the crown piece is adjustffd according tothe height at which itis desired to up the bucket. When the full bucket is raised the ,crosshead g co-acts with the inclined faces 2' thereby forcing the arms i apart until it (th'e'cross the crown piece is also raised, as shown in Figure 2, the monkey Z taking up the slack of the ropes. When over the point where it is desired to deposite its contents, the bucket is lowered, the crownpiece descending with same until its further movement is limited by the stop m acting on the monkey Z. As the cross head 9 is temporarily retained within the notches of the arms i the downward movement of the bucket relative to the crown piece results in a relative upward movement of the rod 9, which, through links f and d, withdraws the extremities of the arms I) from the notches in the cheeks a, thus permitting the bucket to tip under the influence of gravity. On the further downward movement of the bucket the crosshead g by acting on the rounded faces of the notches i forces the arms apart so as to free itself from the crown piece.

Preferably the bucket is of the type in which the axis of the bucket is below the centre of gravity of the bucket when full, but above the centre of gravity when empty so that the bucket, after discharging its contents, automatically rights itself, the bevelled edges of the cheeks a permitting an easy return of the arms I; to engage with the notches.

After discharging its contents the bucket is again raised, the jib swung round, and the bucket again lowered to be reloaded.

In order to prevent the locking dogs disengaging and engaging with the cheeks a before the bucket has tipped it may be found desirable to retain the locking dogs inthe disengaged position for a short interval.

This is preferably accomplished by permitting the arms 2' to make a short vertical movement while retaining the crosshead 9 the latter being released at the end of such movement. 1

A preferred construction of such arrangement is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. which illustrate views at right angles to each other and whereon each arm 21 is pivotally mounted on a crosshead s secured to guide rods 8 Said rods, which are encircled by helical springs 8 s and s, are capable of vertical movement within brackets t.

t are bridges held against the brackets 25 by means of helical springs t encircling bolts 25 The action of such arrangement is as follows. Assume the bucket is being lowered and the crown piece has reached the limit of its travel. The crosshead g is then retained by the notched arms 71 and the looking dogs disengaged. As the bucket continues its downward movement the arms'i move in a like direction, the springs s and 3* being compressed. When the arms 71 have reached the limit of their downward movement they are forced outwards against the action of the spring pressed bridges 23 thereby freeing the crosshead g permitting the return movement of the arms i under the action of the springs s and 8 The recoil springs s absorb shock on the return of the arms to their normal position. In the slightly modified arrangement shown in Figure 10 the arms 2' are pivotally carried by crossheads s which slide in slots in brackets t as in the previously described arrange ment.

The arms i are provided with projecting pins 2' which slide in guide slots t in the brackets t. The lower ends of said slots are inclined outwardly so that when the pins i move therein they force the arms to the position shown in chain dotted lines thereby releasing the crosshead 9 The arms are returned to their normal position by the action of the springs s encircling the fixed guide rods 8 on which the'crosshead 8 slides.

Slots t permit of the outward movement of the arms 2 when the latter are forced apart by the crosshead 9 the arms thereafter returning to the position shown in full lines under the action of gravity. Or, if desired, the slots tmay be shaped so as to slightly .compress the recoil springs 8 during such outward movement, said springs thereby assisting to return the arms to their normal position.

In combination with the herein described means for actuating the tip buckets I preferably employ improved means by which the bucket is guided to the desired tipping place before the locking dogs are actuated. Such improved means include preferably a suspended crown piece having a fixed'guide, a traveling guide within said crown piece and a member secured at or near the extremity of the usual bucket rope or chain. Said fixed guide comprises a cylinder n which makes a tight fit within the crown piece or is removably secured therein by set screws 0 and which cylinder is provided with two inverted V shaped slots 17. The traveling guide also consists of a cylinder 0- of such diameter thatit is free to move within the crown piece B and this guide is provided with two inverted V shaped slots 0 and also with two projections 0 Normally, said projections rest on a stop ring 29 secured by screws 0 within the crown piece. The member g secured to the bucket rope or chain is torpedo shaped and is provided with two projections 1 hen the bucket is ra sed the project-ions first coact with the sides of the slots 0 of the traveling guide 0. The latter being free to move adjusts itself to said projections which, when they reach the end of the slots 0 raise the traveling guide. The projections 0 of this guide enter the slots 92 of the fixed guide and are thereby turned until'they enter the rectannla op ni gs a the and o said s P @3- In t rnin he wa ng aitea -rate membe :9 r und wi a and ihsr iw s s h bu e hi i th is t mama Plaae- 111m s a mat is li ze e bly suspended y wo ows 1? s wed t9 Lug sar v i fi y in k h d b tween nges J and Z f e to the crown Pis T att r m y he totated x'elatiiz e to the I aild m n of Pin-9 s r w-S th eb s iabi i the Plan wh h the husk-s tip to b a ie B t aima i impr ved s si e meant the p'lember 4/ avhioh px efel ably cqgsjsts of two hollow loq gi tudinal septionabolted to: t er may be made aompaaa -ya 1 3 811? 50 a o enable th Wank w t adi -y 1m: dle same in :tna 11f8-1 ri,l1g U,he of the p r a aeathe bucket T e f ,W i h is e ured to ach buqka is p zw d d with a ax whi h is I r fs ab a o ttfiai d a a T1 :swt a @1 $19 k 112 ean be Pas ed Wa $1 9 estricted i a i an them-ita me eeted imam he y asside at ally disengaged.

A te11-tale or indicator may be prov ided i th opelzat ag qae n to indium iv-h nd b lQ ie i a o to so that otheea aemw th n b skewe dawn u h tiv 0 i dieator may be actuate "b the ma e? wmplet g a sha imu t Q was a e wit mov le st p befo ihs es bw/ sm {to test.

Matias es e ba .i sa an ha lai asane sad desir *0 secwzwby La b l teat, is

1x a smi in qombiae n a ho stin k i upp -ag m an-s fo sa b ckat means o l aki g ebuck t ii l t ndi on, meleasing .apmrat r l sp ssd a11- ia t p th 5 sa bas et aad 'Sus s on m ans or said s el as a g' appam ta for permitting movement ofthe latter 17911; i ini i pos tion w h th ri -buck Witho tp 'at oa oi said lack n means, s as ng appa a us ,-b cemi 2s spew: w t ipsa q k g me ns at said it a position upon descent of saidflouoket, releasing apparatus including a pair of sp n press a m coommhle wi h ea d locki g m ns- 2. In a crane, in combination, a hoisting bucket, supporting means for said buoket, means for locking said "bucket in upright condition, releasing apparatus disposed Ladjacent the path of said sbuqks 21 ,flee hla suspension member ior ,said releasing apparatus permitting movement of the latter with the rising bucket, and fl colllltfl l weight for taking up slack of said flexgible gum uber when said releasing apparatus is fleeing raised by .said bucket.

In a mane, in "combination, .a hoistiug u k pp n ing m ans itq mid and an adjustable istop io r limi tiug ino'vemeat [of said oouiitr wei h t.

4l In a ,onaue;.ip'combanation, a hoisting bu ket, summ g me ns for sa d k means for looking "said bucket in uptight condition releasiiig appamtus disposed Fad.- ja cent the path of said bucket, and suspens io x laneaus fior said peleasing apparatus for permitting moyehgen t of the latter from its initial positiOn with the rising bu -ket, without @operatiop .o f'said' lookifig m ans, said releasing apparatz is vbe( ouli lgg operative to trip ,said locking meaps at Said inliti a l posida m du q i fl st id bucket- In a o nai le, ,qOmbiuatiori, a :h0is ting ,uo ket, suppo ing means Q Q a-id' qks means fdl iockirig said ,buoketin upr ght Condition, releasing apparatus: disposed ad} jaoent the path of said huoket, a flexible suspeusiop member for said releasing a papfitus permitting Jn oyemegitof the Iattef with e Kir n-H bi l s ei la co we h 9 .aal ii i l s akaf e l g eme ber whe sai -s a p ara us is ag g a wd sa d b cks ie ws ns a r u ite eae a w i s x as' a sisedarm Q P F bls 1 wi h a l ekias mean 6 Ina crane; in combination, a hoistiug budget, supporting means fior ,said buolget, iQ Miss sa Wi ke g u t aat t an releases p a at s ls q ad.- ia n th pat- [9 sa d u e an suspnsions eai t i-sai islea a appa u 91 perm tt g 9- (o thla 's o-1 t aitial p sitio w th i ha n u ket, t ou opm'at qn f e ck ils iifii llf s d releases appa atu b com ng wai f si sa d Ja k g mean st said ini e rposi s upon descentof said bucket, said releasing apparatus including a pair ofcooperatiug r as mope a ls a th said q li ln m an an beiag maime for pi ta and t an la movement.

1 In a s ime, i qm mt n a "ji a wicket sup o in 9W3??? may @Qanv 'e 'by said jib, means @59 Makin sa .bu k in w ightnt tiena-nd [mea zarried by a jib t on leas ns said leaking mea 19m]- p sin membe s a-t as y g i si ehl wsple buck t Awa ts jaw adapt to automatically and yieldil gly geugag e" part p aid loakinsaneawahe t e a .isgbei gtel m sd- -8- ln Qmn 9 i bia tipn ji s i k t s p pentinglmean th rsiq tamed y ad ijab, means deems-saidtasks?- upright condition, means for releasing said locking means comprising a member suspended from said jib and relatively movable in respect to said bucket, said member having jaws pivotally connected thereto adapted automatically to engage a part of said looking means upon elevation of said bucket.

9. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, supporting means therefor carried by said jib, means for locking said bucket in upright condition, means for releasing said locking means comprising a member suspended from said jib having jaws slidably and angularly movable thereon adapted resiliently to engage a part of said locking means.

,10. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, supporting means therefor carried by said jib, means for locking said bucket in upright condition, means for releasing said locking means comprising a member suspended from said jib and relatively movable in respect to said bucket, said member having jaws slidably and angularly movable thereon adapted resiliently to engage a part of said locking means, and a guide for said jaws.

11. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, supporting means therefor carried by said jib and releasable means for locking said bucket in upright condition including dogs connected to said supporting 'means adapted to be engaged by parts of said bucket and movable to be disengaged therefrom, said engaging parts having camming surfaces adapted to assist reengagement of said dogs.

12. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bracket, elevatable supporting means there for carried by said jib and a guide member carried by said jib and cooperable with the bucket upon elevation thereof for automatically rotating said bucket on its vertical axis into a predetermined vertical plane, including an auxiliary member carried by and rotatable on said guide member adapted to cooperate with a part of said bracket s'upporting means.

18. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, elevatable supporting means therefor carried by said jib and a guide member carried by said jib and cooperable with the bucket upon elevation thereof for automatically rotating said bucket on its vertical axis into a predetermined vertical plane, including an auxiliary member carried by and rotatable on said guide member adapted to cooperate with a part of said bucket supporting means to move the same into a fixed r0- tative relationship therewith.

14. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, elevatable supporting means therefor carried by said jib and a guide member carried by said jib and cooperable with the bucket upon elevation thereof for automatically rotating said bucket on its vertical axis into a predetermined vertical plane, including an auxiliary member adapted to be longitudinally moved by said bucket supporting means on said guide member and to be moved by the latter to a predetermined rotative relationship therewith.

15, In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, elevatable supporting means therefor carried by said jib and a guide member carried by said jib and cooperable with the bucket upon elevation thereof for automatically rotating said bucket on its vertical axis into a predetermined vertical plane comprising a rotatably adjustable cylindrical member, a second cylindrical member carried thereby slidable and rotatable in respect thereto, and a third cylindrical member fixed to said first mentioned member in adjustable rotative relationship thereto, and cooperative with said second member to rotate the same into a predetermined rotative relationship thereto, said second member being cooperative with a part of said bucket suspending means to rotate the same into a prefietermined rotative relationship therewit 16. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, elevatable supporting means there for carried by said jib and a guide member carried by said jib and cooperable with the bucket upon elevation thereof for automatically rotating said bucket on its vertical axis into a predetermined vertical plane, said guide member comprising a cylindrical member, a second cylindrical member carried thereby, slidable and rotatable in respect thereto, said members having inclined slots adapted to receive parts of said bucket suspending means, and a third cylindrical 105 member fixed to said first member and having an inclined lower face adapted to cooperate with projecting parts of said second member.

17. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a 110 bucket, elevatable supporting means therefor carried by said jib, means for locking said bucket in upright condition and a guide member cooperable with the bucket upon elevation thereof for rotating said bucket 115 into a predetermined vertical plane having parts automatically engageable with cooperating parts of said locking means, and operative to release said locking means to permit tipping of said bucket.

18. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, elevatable supporting means there for carried by said jib, means for locking said bucket in upright condition and a guide cooperable with the bucket upon elevation thereof for rotating said bucket into a predetermined vertical plane having parts adapted to engage cooperating parts of said locking means upon contact therewith, and automatically operative to release said locking means upon movement of said bucket tending to break said contact.

19. In a crane, in combination, a jib, a bucket, elevatable supporting means there- 5 for carried by said jib, means for locking said bucket in upright condition and a guide member for rotatin said bucket into a predetermined vertica i plane having parts adapted detachably and resiliently to engage cooperating parts of said locking 10 means for movement thereof in respect to said bucket thereby to release said locking means to permit tipping of said bucket.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM REID, JR. 

